I had a dream

I had a dream last night that the England Rugby team played France in Paris in the semi-final of the world cup. I dreamt that we scored a try in the first three minutes. I dreamt that it was a tough game, where France had all the possession and none of the points. I dreamt that England were trailing by a point for most of the game. I dreamt that Andy Gommersal got shoulder charged by the touch judge, and Chabal hurt Johnny. I dreamt that the French gave away a penalty with minutes to go. I dreamt that Johnny converted it, and then a few minutes later scored a drop goal. I dreamt that Laurence Dalliglio tried to throw away England's lead my giving away a handling in the ruck penalty to France. I dreamt that despite a final onslaught England won!

and I woke up this morning
and it was true!
England in the World Cup Final 2007 - who'd have thought it?!

The Rugby World Cup: Tales of the Unexpected!

I am a cynic. When this world cup started in September I had images of England crashing out in the group stages. Being an England Rugby fan over the last, well four years actually, hasn't been great fun. Ever since Johnny kicked THAT drop goal that sent every England Rugby fan into an early morning beer induced delirium its been quite an ordeal wearing the red rose. To be honest I've not paid that much attention. Other than to grumble about how much the RFU paid for Andy Farrell in March 2005 and how completely useless he has been ever since. When he scored against Tonga my sister and I agreed that it was about time he started earning his keep. He didn't score his first union try until September 2006.

Anyway I digress.

England's poor start in the World Cup, the lack lustre display against USA, the frankly awful game against South Africa - how the world champions could leave the pitch with no points astounded me. The game against Tonga was better. England looked like they wanted to play rugby. So job done into the Quarters. Against Australia.

I ignored the press, voiced my doubts and went to Balham to watch. Even as the anthems started I predicted a loss for the men in white.

What a game! England looked liked they had finally got the memo that they were the World Champions. They played a good game. However when Australia scored their first try I thought it was all over. I dared to dream when England took the lead, and stayed nervously glued to the TV. I shouted like they could hear me all those miles away in Marseilles.

When the final whistle blew it was like we had won the world cup four years ago! The truth is that England still have a mountain to climb but a victory, over the sour Australians. It wouldn't be so good beating them is they could just win or lose in a Sporting manner. For example Even before a ball was kicked, Aussies had been shown an advert which featured Johnny Wilkinson’s World Cup winning drop goal and the words “revenge is sweet” plastered all over it.

Well Australia, as you famously said to the Kiwis in 2003 'Four more years boys, four more years.'

As for England, well I don't know. France in Paris on Saturday night. Tough, but whatever the result I'll be wearing my England shirt with pride - every England player, even Andy Gommersal and Andy Farrell, have given me something to smile about.

H x

(photo is from Reuters)

Very Proud

Yesterday Alice and I ran the Hydro Active Women's Challenge, a 5km run in Hyde Park, to raise money for Leukaemia CARE. Neither of us are athletic really. I had a slight advantage in that I had run it last year. We went for a run together when I was back in Worcester over Bank Holiday. It wasn't too great.
We talked about it and decided that we would start together, we would run the first kilometer together and then when Alice felt the need to walk she would let me know and I would carry on.
We stood for ages at the start, in a really chilly breeze. There were lots of people with Balloons which we tried to dodge. We saw some other Leukaemia CARE runners and said hi, or gave them the thumbs up.
Linda Robson started the race and waved to everyone as they crossed the start line. As we ran gently along the first bit all we could see were hundreds of women in different colours in front of us. Reading some people's backs, with the reason they were running brought tears to my eyes. As we passed the first km post I gave Alice the thumbs up. We were doing OK. AT about 1.5 km Alice indicated that I should run on. AS I passed the 2 and 3km I was doing OK. I saw James at Speakers Corner between 3 and 4km which lifted me up and gave me some more motivation. I passed 4km weaving amongst the walkers and then the hill I remember from last year was in front of me. I pushed up the hill remembering that the finish was not far off. I rounded the next bend, saw the finish line in sight and started sprinting. My head was thinking have I gone to early. My legs however were sailing me through. Which was odd! I crossed the line 37 minutes after starting. Only two minutes slower than last year, and not a step walked this time. My dodgy sprained ankle was sore and started to throb, but it had made it. I called James, who had failed to see me pass the finish, to let him know I would collect my finishers' bag and come back round to see Alice come through. BY the time I was on my way James called to say Alice had come though the finish. I waited by the railings and gave her a huge hug. She came through in 45 minutes. A truly remarkable time.
James was an outstanding one man support team, although he has requested a banner next year! He put up with two knackered women hobbling through London in need of feeding. HE carried all our stuff and took pictures. We love him! Thank you Hun.
It was a good day, and even Alice, who hates running was talking about doing it again by the time we reached the pub!
If you want to congratulate us give us 50p or something by going to OUR JUST GIVING SITE
Thanks, Hannah xxx

Fun, food and friends

Last Saturday comprised entirely of eating, drinking and having fun. After a quick run James and I had homemade pancakes from Nigella Lawson's book, with maple syrup and streaky bacon.
Then we went to Tim and Chan's for a home group Barbecue. It was good to sit in their lovely garden, in the September sunshine, drinking, laughing and catching up. The food was tasty and plentiful and everyone seemed well and relaxed.
Unfortunately we had to make a premature exit to go to Andy and Clare's Stag and Hen doo s. Clare had a girlie afternoon get together at Rachel W's. I was handed a glass of Pimms as I walked through the door! It was nice to be with a group of women, chilling out and celebrating Clare's nuptials. I gave her a Buchanan tartan garter with her and Andy's names embroidered on it. It was supposed to be a bit of fun but it made her cry - in a slightly hormonal emotional bridal way! She got other great gifts including Anthea Turner's Perfect Housewife, many chocolate related things and a feather duster!
After the most divine afternoon tea with pink bubbly I changed and put on my war paint in time to strut into South Croydon (new shoes = strut!) and to Conchita's, for Mexican Mayhem. One jug of white Sangria just didn't seem enough between my and Rachel S so we bought another! Oh well.
A tired, well fed and happy Hannah fell into bed gone midnight.
H x
p.s. The wedding is tomorrow. Pictures to follow...

GIVE ME MONEY

Please
www.justgiving.com/aliceandhannah

Uncertainty

I sometimes think it would be nice if there was a machine that you could put your vital information into and it would tell you what job to do, when to train, when to have kids, buy a house etc.

Sadly, or not, such a machine does not exist and we have to stumble through life trying to acertain what to do when, and dealing with the consequences of our actions.

The thing that I struggle with is the waiting. I think I know what I want to do but I have to wait to take this plan forward. I will write more about this when I can. Waiting on this means waiting for other things, like buying a house. And what if what I want to do is wrong. What if I start doing something and its not what I am supposed to do? Can I keep taking wrong turns? I feel like I want to settle down and maybe have a family in the next few years but if I get this decision wrong where will that leave me?

Hannah

Carmen Jones

I went with James, Lucinda and Kim to see Carmen Jones at the refurbished Royal Festival Hall on Friday night. I booked tickets after a sunny evening on the Southbank created a desire to 'do more London'.

However the weather on Friday was not the balmy summer eve I had been envisaging. Despite this we ate Al Fresco at Giraffe, chatted and enjoyed the general atmosphere of one of London's trendiest areas.

The inside of the Royal Festival Hall is a bit like being in a rich old lady's house! It's smart but has a certain retro charm! We had seats three rows back which gave a rather upward view of some scenes and made us feel a bit intrusive in some of the more intimate ones!

Despite this it was a good performance and I enjoyed it. I am not an Opera fan so it was a rather off kilter move to book tickets for an Opera adaptation. Tsakane Valentine Maswangany played Carmen I was struck by her strength and stage presence despite her tiny frame. I think I could have put my hands round her waist.

She played the female anti hero well, and her sickly sucking up to Joe made my skin crawl. Hearing the orchestra was great and the tunes are well known. There were times when the intonation of the singers let them down and I had to struggle to hear what they were singing.

All in all a great evening in London Town xxx

100 years

On 8am on August 1st 2007 Scouting celebrated 100 years since Lord Robert Baden Powell blew the Kudoo Horn to open his first experimental Scout Camp for boys on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour.
At 8am (local time) on August 1st 2007 Scouts around the world joined 28 million members and renewed their promise. I stood alongside my husband, on the seashore in Hamworthy, Poole overlooking Brownsea Island and said the promise which still sends shivers down my spine. After a BBQ brekkie we made our way to Poole Quay to join Scouts and friends making their way across the water to the island. The sun shone and there was a friendly party atmosphere. Brownsea was closed to the public on August 1st and open to One Thousand visitors. Whilst the activities could have been better it was good to spend such a historical day in such an important place.

On August 4th James and I went to the 21st International Jamboree, at Hylands Park in Essex. another gloriously sunny day saw us wondering around enjoying the great atmosphere and sampling food, drink and hospitality from all sorts of countries. We had a beer in Germany, lunch in Finland and afternoon tea in England. We relaxed in Algeria and marvelled at the Swedish Ferris wheel made only from pioneering poles and rope!
We took a tour of the site and saw how 40 000 participants lived, ate, and learnt during the 10 days of camp. It was mind blowing and exhausting.
One of the themes we saw around the site was:
'There are 28 million Scouts in the world. If every Scout changed one thing....'
What a proposition! Seeing young men and women from every continent and almost every nation living working and playing in harmony was truly inspirational. If Scouting can do it why can't the rest of the world watch, learn and follow suit......'

100 days

James and I have been married for one hundred days today.
I have finally got my rings re sized so that they are not in danger of falling off. Almost all our presents have arrived, and most are in use! We've taken our wonderful family tree - a gift from both our fathers tracing our paternal family lines - in to the framers.
We've had a bit of a house clear out and tidy up and re-arrange.
We are settling into the daily pattern of being Mr and Mrs Gordon. It's great. Once a week we have time set aside for just us. We have used this time to go to a gallery, discover a new country pub, have dates at the cinema and just enjoy an evening at home with a good meal and no TV. I love this special time and when we have missed it I feel our relationship begin to sag. James was initially sceptical about this dedicated time but having given it go he agrees on its value and dates are in his diary!
People ask me whether things have changed since we got married, do I feel any different? The answer is perhaps a surprising yes. I feel grounded, anchored by the love of my soul mate. I feel calmer, like I have stepped into the shelter of someone who will always be there for me. I feel like James and I are a team, working together and for each other.
We are facing some big decisions about the future for both of us that would lead to potential career changes and financial pressures. As part of our decision making we are spending Sunday away from home, with our Bibles, talking to God and waiting on Him. I am looking forward to retreating for a short time, but then being able to talk things through with my husband.
Last night, as part of my new Bible reading plan - God's Story in 9 months (courtesy of Carla Harding) I read Genesis 1 & 2 aloud to James. We've decided to work through it together, taking it in turns to read to each other each night. I'm excited that I am going to journey through God's Story and even more excited that I have a travelling companion.
H x

Facebook

I have just de-activated my Facebook account. It's temporary but it needed doing. I am going Cold Turkey on it, a bit like giving up smoking the hard way.

There are lots of things I like about Facebook. There are lots of things I don't like about Facebook. I don't like how becoming 'friends' with someone is as easy as clicking the mouse. And then continuing to ignore them. Real friendship is hard work. There are ups and downs and hugs and laughs and tears.

In the flush of new Facebook love I 'became friends' with a lot of people who I had been at school with. I have arranged to meet up with one and I am looking forard to this, although I am nervous. We were at primary school together t0o! Like some cyber voyeur I looked at their profiles, where they are living now, their relationship status' and their photos. As I peered into their lives I was transported back ten years and the feelings of jealousy and competition grew. I didn't like that many people at school. The girl who had been my best friend for most of my school years left after GCSE's barely maintained contact with me and within 12 months had become a mother. During my sixth form years at the same school I suddenly had to try and make new friendships but by that stage everyone was sorted into their little groups. I had friends, people I spent time with and liked but no real best mate.

I had one very good friend, Milla, who you will recognise as my Bridesmaid and one real long time friend. We didn't go to school together and met through Guides. At seventeen we joined Venture Scouts and that's where the bulk of my friends came from in my truly formative years. At my wedding not one of the people there was someone I had been at school with (apart from my sister.) My friends were my Onnward VSU colleagues, the five mooses from uni and people James and I have come to know through our church. James had lots of friends from school at the wedding. But these people too have become my friends, as we live in his home town and many are still here.

I have friends. None of these are particularly deep or best friends, but they are important people in my life, and people with whom I am happy and glad to share things with. I am not a girlie girl, and letting people in is a challenge for me.

Facebook was like one big popularity contest. A giant playground. It is strangely and weirdly and nastily addictive. I know what is going on in people's lives without having to talk to them, without having to spend time with them. I can freely share with people my photos and comments and thoughts and everyone who is my friend can see all my other friends. The desire to log on to see if any of my 'friends' have updated anything or added anything is taking over my life. My restlessness and unhappiness with my own life situation drives me to peruse others lives and wish for more when I have been given SO much more than I need, and grace in abundance too.

What I should be doing is turning to God and to my husband, who is TRUELY my best friend on this earth, and talking to them, seeking their counsel and guidance. I should be soaking myself in God's word, and listening for Him speaking through the storm.

I have deactivated my Facebook account, and opened my Bible. I believe there will come a time when the two can exist in harmony in my life, but for now there is only one Book for me.

Hannah x